TorVPN operates under UK jurisdiction and offers 11 servers along with a seven-day free trial. However, the service is hindered by technical complexities and occasional dysfunction.
Features
TorVPN lacks a native client. Instead, users must install the open-source OpenVPN client and configure TorVPN through it. This setup is notably intricate, surpassing other OpenVPN configurations in terms of complexity. Users expecting to select their server for the free trial may be disappointed, as I was automatically assigned a server in France, rather than the US or UK.
The user dashboard is not user-friendly. Its outdated interface does little to inspire confidence. To connect, users must download configuration files (UDP, TCP) and a separate standalone configuration file, which must be copied into the OpenVPN configuration directory with administrative rights. It is unclear why a VPN username and standalone password are included, as OpenVPN did not prompt for them—the configuration files contained my credentials.
Further issues were discovered with the free plan. The service may intermittently fail to work for extended periods, resuming functionality only when server load decreases. Despite OpenVPN indicating a connection with a new IP assigned, my actual IP and DNS were exposed. Both the OpenVPN client and customer dashboard incorrectly indicated an active connection.
Support was problematic; despite advertised live chat support, my two tickets received no response.
TorVPN supports OpenVPN, PPTP, and SSH, but lacks a native client and does not offer significant customization options. Features include a transparent Tor proxy and OpenVPN redirect-gateway, but no kill switch, DNS leak protection, or firewall.
Pricing
TorVPN’s server count and user base are modest, with approximately 100 users online at any given time.
It is advisable to test the free plan thoroughly before committing to a subscription, as it may not offer a reliable evaluation of the service.
The seven-day free trial provides access to one server and up to 2GB of traffic, without SSH tunneling. This trial is also subject to time limits and server load, which may render it ineffective for evaluating the service.
Paid plans are flexible and customizable. The basic plan costs £0.50 for 15 days, providing one server, unlimited speed, two simultaneous connections, OpenVPN+PPTP, SSH tunneling, and up to 5GB of traffic. The Custom VPN plan, priced at £1 per month, offers one server, two sessions, and up to 10GB of traffic. Users can adjust the subscription length, number of servers, sessions, and traffic cap. For example, two servers, two connections, and 50GB of traffic cost £1.70, while access to all 11 servers with similar configuration costs £2. This level of customization is rare among VPN providers.
The Pro VPN plan is £1.90 per month, including two servers, two sessions, and a 60GB traffic limit. The Silver VPN plan, at £5.50 for three months, unlocks all 11 servers, supports three simultaneous sessions, and offers a 100GB traffic limit. The Gold VPN plan, priced at £19.90 per year, provides access to all 11 servers, supports up to four simultaneous connections, and removes the traffic cap.
TorVPN accepts PayPal and Bitcoin but has a lackluster refund policy.
Tests
During the eighth hour of the free trial, I was finally able to connect to TorVPN, indicating that the issue was related to server load rather than technical faults on my end. The speed reduction was minimal, as demonstrated by the connection speeds before and after VPN activation.
The service did leak my DNS, though it did not expose WebRTC or IPv6 information.
Given the French server’s limitations, I could not test TorVPN’s ability to unblock Netflix US or BBC iPlayer. Additionally, TorVPN’s terms of service explicitly state that streaming is not a priority.
Despite connecting through a French server, my YouTube homepage appeared as if I were accessing it from the US rather than France.
Privacy and Security
TorVPN operates under UK jurisdiction, which is subject to the 14 Eyes alliance, extensive surveillance practices, and the Snooper’s Charter. The website for Lockspin UK Ltd, which operates TorVPN, is notably sparse, featuring only a blank page with minimal text and a clickable Root Certificate. This lack of content raises concerns about the provider’s transparency and trustworthiness.
A WhoIs lookup reveals that Marton Molnar, presumably of Hungarian origin, is listed as the director of Lockspin. The outdated appearance of the website and the scarcity of background information further contribute to doubts regarding the provider’s reliability.
Upon connecting to the service and launching a clean browser—ensuring that cache, cookies, and browsing history were cleared—I was unexpectedly redirected to an authorization page requiring me to complete a CAPTCHA. This redirect felt intrusive, resembling a hijacking incident as the browser loaded an unsolicited page.
Reviewing the provider’s Terms of Service (ToS) and Privacy Policy reveals additional concerns. TorVPN does not guarantee continuous service availability. Furthermore, the provider retains user data even after account deletion and may disclose this information to law enforcement agencies.
The provider’s disclosure policy indicates that privacy is not a primary concern. TorVPN does not specify which data is logged, but it is known to record users’ real IP addresses and email addresses. Additionally, the use of disposable emails is not permitted. Users should be mindful of these privacy implications.
